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ESA member Epic Games speaks out against SOPA [Update: So do 38 Studios and Trion]
Epic Games, developer of the Gears of War series and member of the Entertainment Software Association, last night came out against the proposed "Stop Online Piracy Act" (SOPA). "We do not support the current version of SOPA," Epic Games senior PR manager Dana Cowley wrote in a public letter posted to the North Carolina company's forums. "We are members of the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), a trade organization that is working with legislators to refine the bill," she said, referring to the ESA's letter of support for the proposed legislation released earlier this week. She added, "Epic Games supports efforts that would stop overseas websites profiting from pirating our games, but we have to do that in a way that's compatible with freedom of speech and due process of law." Epic is the first member of the ESA - the political lobbying arm of the game industry - to speak out against SOPA, but we suspect it won't be the last. We've dropped a list of remaining ESA members after the break who have yet to rescind support for the proposed legislation. Update: 38 Studios is also against SOPA, writing on its Facebook wall, "Based on the SOPA bill's current structure, 38 Studios believes that the bill requires further restructuring and review to ensure it both preserves rights and protects intellectual properties. Please know that we take this issue very seriously," as spotted by Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Trion also has come out against the proposed legislation, writing on its forums, "We definitely do not support SOPA. We'll be calling the ESA about this after the holiday weekend."
Epic's Unreal Engine makes grass look epic for real, come see
Epic Games is showing off its gardening skills with a new in-game landscape screenshot, and the plants in it look so real it's like, unreal, guys. Because the name of the engine is also ... forget it. Epic's Unreal Engine 3 produced the picture, which was tweeted by PR manager Dana Cowley. Cowley said the screen is real-time in-game footage, but it looks more like a highly-detailed Bob Ross paint-along. The blades of grass are just so happy. If Unreal 3 can make foliage look this fabulous when it's in motion too, we think players will all be just as pleased as Mr. Ross' little trees.
Rumor: Epic Games in talks to buy APB
Could the Gears of War folks be the knight in shining armor that doomed APB desperately needs? According to BBC, Epic Games is possibly interested in scooping up Realtime Worlds' MMO, although nothing is confirmed at this point. Realtime Worlds abruptly announced yesterday that APB was to be shut down today, sending shockwaves through the community. While Epic Games is not commenting on any possible negotiations, a spokesperson confirmed that Epic's CEO, Mark Rein, is a fan of the game. "Mark absolutely loves APB, and everyone here loved what they saw. We've got our hands full of Gears of War 3, Bullet Storm and the recently announced Project Sword. If any talks like that are going on, then they would be confidential," Dana Cowley, Epic's spokesperson, said. Rein was outspoken about his enjoyment of the game at PAX last year. Epic Games may also have a vested interest in the technology powering APB. We'll be keeping our ears to the ground on this one if anything further develops.
